Rating: 
Summary: Bonded for Life
Review: Walter Farley takes readers on a literary whirlwind in this exciting story of a boy and his horse in the mid Forties. HIS, not by legal possession, but rather an ownership born of mutual cooperation for survival. Washed overboard from a tramp steamer near the Mediterranean, Alec Ramsay (12-14) was saved from drowning by clinging to a rope around the neck of a mighty black stallion, who was also plunged into the sea. Long weeks spent on a tiny island forged a loyal and lasting bond between the
sunburned boy and the wild animal--who was never intended for
corrals and civilization. With patience, perseverance and respectful love Alec gradually tamed the suspicious animal, who ultimately permitted him to ride bareback.
Finally rescued they reached Rio and then were shipped back to New York city, but Alex had been given a vision of the Black's future: he wanted to race the magnificent animal on a real racetrack, to share the glory of his Arabian heritage. Countless obstacles were thrown in his way including parental reluctance, lack of money and time and the Black's own fighting spirit. But the greatest hurdle would prove the lack of papers documenting his lineage. Besides the Black had to be king of the herd and would always prove too wild to race with dignified, high-toned thoroughbreds. Can an old jockey and an untried boy pull off the biggest racing coup in US history? This is great fare for horse lovers!
Rating: 
Summary: A classic
Review: Although the copy sitting on my shelf is the dog-eared Scholastic version of my youth, not this new edition, I feel that every child who has ever looked at a horse with wonder, seen it as a thing of beauty and nobility, or dreamed of having a horse of his or her own, should read this excellent series, beginning with this very book.A fascinating and fantastical story of sea rescue, perseverance, and courage, as well as a peek into the world of horse racing half a century ago, these stories, despite being written in 1941, have a timeless quality that will always capture the heart of any adventurer.
Rating: 
Summary: The Black Stallion
Review: Arthur Sams
Linda Turner The Black Stallion by Walter Farley Brief Summary and Review The Black Stallion is the first in a series of stallion novels written by Walter Farley. The story is about a seventeen-year old boy who is shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild black Arabian stallion. The boy and the stallion become dependent on each other for survival and soon learn to trust each other and form a lasting friendship. The boy and stallion are rescued from the island by a freighter. The boy returns to New York with the black stallion and trains him at night to race. The boy and the black stallion enter into a race against the two fastest horses known at that time and wins. Even though this book was first written in 1941 I found it to be moving and exciting. This book is so well written that it will be read and enjoyed by many generations to come. The friendship and bond formed between the boy and the stallion is a clear example of understanding and trust. The determination of the boy and stallion to overcome all odds shows that if you are determine to succeed you will.
Rating:
Summary: No horse-loving child should miss this classic!
Review: As a horse lover from a very young age, this is one of those books that was read to me when I was little, which I later read on my own more than once, and of which I still have fond memories today. The first of Walter Farley's twenty-one books, written while the author was in high school and published in 1941, before he graduated from college, "The Black Stallion" has become a staple in children's literature. It tells the story of Alec Ramsay and his partnership with a remarkable horse, referred to only as the Black. While returning from a trip to India, Alec's ship is wrecked in a storm, leaving he and the Black as the only survivors, washed up on a small, deserted island. For nineteen days they must survive in that desolate place, and in this time a strong bond is formed between the boy and the wild Arab horse.
Once Alec and the Black are rescued by a passing ship, the story takes a different turn. Back in New York, Alec asks a neighbor if he might stable the Black in the old barn on his property. As it turns out, Henry Dailey is a former racehorse trainer, and he immediately recognizes the Black's potential for speed. Thus, man and boy pair up in order to train the spirited horse, hoping to harness his energy and turn him into a competitive runner. At this time the racing world is all abuzz about an upcoming match race between two champion horses, each touted as the best racer in the country, but who have never run against each other. But when the Black shows more talent than Dailey would ever have thought possible, he begins to think that this wild, unpedigreed stallion just might have what it takes to beat them both...
The story is a bit far-fetched and idealistic, but it nevertheless makes for one whopping adventure. Farley was an avid horseman and he puts his knowledge to good use here. His descriptions of the proud, fiery Black bring the wild horse magnificently to life before our eyes. The prose is simple and fast-paced, with one event leading rapidly into another, but it still maintains a richness and depth that allows the reader to develop a strong attachment to the main characters. You can really feel the bond between boy and horse, and you can't help but care about them. "The Black Stallion" is an absolute must-read for any young horse lover. The book has a timeless quality to it, and retains every bit of its magic even for modern readers.
After penning "The Black Stallion," Farley went on to write twenty more horse stories, most centered around further adventures of Alec, the Black, and the characters that surround them (the exception being "Man O'War," which is an account of that famous racehorse's life). I have read every one of these additional books, some more than once, and would recommend them to anyone that has read and enjoyed this first book. I don't know of a single die-hard horse lover that hasn't read at least the first few books in the series, and many adult equestrians cite Farley's books as being what got them interested in horses to begin with.
"The Black Stallion" was also turned into a decent movie starring child actor Kelly Reno in 1979. Fans of the book are advised to check it out, but I strongly recommend against skipping the book in favor of the movie. The movie is good, but it is not entirely true to the original story, and doesn't quite capture the full texture of Farley's creation. The book, as always, is the place to start. It is simply written, and so should be easy for elementary-aged readers to handle. For younger children, the book makes an excellent read-aloud story. It is reasonably short. As an adult reader, I am able to get through it in a couple of hours. One final word of advice: As another reviewer mentioned, if at all possible, try to look for an older copy, with cover art by Pamela Patrick. The art of John Rowe on this new edition's cover just doesn't quite capture the spirit of the original.
Rating:
Summary: Whoa, SeaBiscuit!
Review: I first read THE BLACK STALLION when I was 9 - and I became hooked and read several of the books that followed in the series. None held up to this first book - but they were consistent and I still have them. With the book first being published in 1941 - I wonder now how much of this story was influenced by the SeaBiscuit story? Anyway - this is one of those books that I remember wishing with all my heart and soul I could be Alec, alone on the island in the sun with that horse. Just riding. And having no other thoughts in the world. And sometimes, after a particularly bad week, this book is one of those that I scoop up to smooth my edges.
Rating:
Summary: wild, dramatic, tempestous, beautiful, epic masterpiece
Review: I have read and reread this book more times than I remember ever since I got my first copy of the book what seems like ages ago. Yet even now as I read it again the spirit of the Black Stallion never fails to move me and draw me into its surging, wildly attractive story. There are few stories as appealing and compelling as the magical bond of love, trust, and understanding forged between a beautiful, untamable stallion and a young boy, and the great things that they accomplish together. The Black and Alec have inspired and unfailingly won the hearts of millions of people throughout the generations and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so long after many of its original fans have left this world. Theirs is an epic story that instantly captures and draws the attention of even the most idle reader. Farley has created a timeless, classic masterpiece that should be read by everyone!
Rating:
Summary: All Time Great Read
Review: I have read many books, but no matter how many times I read this book, it always seems new. A classic story of boy and his horse, the book starts with Alec returning from a summer with his uncle in Africa. Alec, aboard a steamer bond to New York, watches a magnificent, wild stallion being loaded. During the long trip back, Alec tries to make friends with this beautiful horse. When the ship sinks, Alec is pulled by the black stallion to a small desert island. On the desert island, the boy and the wild horse learn to depend upon each other in order to survive. When Alec is rescued, he brings the "Black" to New York. Alec's neighbor, a retired race-horse trainer, recognizes the Black's true potential- as a racehorse. This book will hold you in suspense untill the end.
Rating:
Summary: a 9 year old reader from FL
Review: I read this book almost every day when I went horse-back riding. It told me even if some thing is scary or frightning there is always a way to not be scared of it. The book is about a boy named Alec who travels to Bombay,India to visit his uncle. The book starts out when Alec is traveling back to New York where he lives. He is on a boat called "Drake". Alec watches men put a wild black stallion on the boat. The men do not feed the stallion so Alec put sugar cubes in the stallion's stal. One night a storm breaks out. Alec does not want the stallion to die.So Alec ties himself to the stallion. Every one on the ship except Alec and the stallion die. Alec and stallion find themselfs streanded on an island the next morning. Want to find out what happens next? Then read the book!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: In this book, Alec looks forward to going home to his New York hometown of Flushing to start the new schoolyear. He boards a ship called the Drake as he leaves India and his uncle, whom he had spent the summer with and had done many exciting things with...including Alec's all-time dream of learning to horseback ride. The ship stops on the coast of Arabia and the crew captures the most beautiful, noble Arabian stallion the boy had ever seen. He immediately falls in love with the creature, while Alec being the only one who the 'Black' trusts. When a dangerous shipwreck occurs, leaving everyone but the Black and Alec alive, the horse leads him to land instinctively. Another danger on the deserted island saves the two and causes them to be saved at last. When Alec teams up with a retired jockey by the name of Henry, they won't give up on making another dream a reality--seeing the Black on the racetrack.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book of the Series
Review: the black stallion is about a boy named alec and a horse called the black. as alec is riding home he comes across his first storm at sea. it was exciting and fun, but not for long! The Drake starts to sink and people are being loaded in life boats. alec rescues the black stallion aboard the ship. the black knocks him off the boat and into the icy cold waters!!! alec ties the lead rope to his waist, and the next morning they are at a deserted island and the only survivers!!!!! How will he find food? can he tame the stallion who saved his life? if he does will he be able to keep him? will he even get on a ship home? if he does will it sink too? will he be as lucky? if he does make it home and can keep the black where will he keep him? will the black be tamed? find out in THE BLACK STALLION.
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